Page 7 - CON Boardpack 20201027 November v00-03 (Final)
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Decision:
The Board members agreed that the birth date be tattooed on the pig’s
ear alongside the current tattoo mark. EB 13/2020-15/07/2020
David Osborne was of the opinion that leaving the weight open at 110kg
could be damaging to the industry. An age restriction should be placed
on boars.
Dr Peter Evans said that according to the current Pork360 standard, either
notching or tattooing of the week number was sufficient.
7.2 ASF
Johann Kotzé raised his concerns over the inconsistency of following the
VPN with regard to the ASF outbreak. It must be clear on what should
be done in the event of an outbreak on a commercial farm. Dr Peter
Evans had drafted a document from the industry’s perspective. Drone
footage was presented to government to show the diversity of the
different farming production units and confirmed the importance of
finding a solution. Government raised a few concerns regarding the
document.
The industry would prefer that government does not have sole discretion
as to what should happen with regard to a commercial farm where an
ASF outbreak occurred and wants the farm’s consulting veterinarian to
be involved before a decision is made.
The approach must be to evaluate a farm based on health and welfare
principles and to mitigate the risk of that farm. The document is still in a
draft format and was presented to individual farmers merely to allow
them to consider whether it was applicable to their own circumstances
and management protocols. The document is not law but merely
intended to provide guidance. The goal must be to have the document
incorporated into the VPN on how to deal with ASF outbreaks.
Government might not be able to eradicate ASF if no compensation is
payable. They must make a final decision on the matter. Compensation
could be the solution to a specific outbreak.
Decision:
The final document on an ASF outbreak on a commercial farm drafted
by Dr Peter Evans must be included in the Board pack at the next
meeting. EB 14/2020-15/07/2020
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